What to Expect from an Adoption Coach

If you're thinking of working with an adoption coach, we know you have a lot of questions.

What will it be like?

How is coaching different from counseling?

Will I get the help and support I'm looking for?

If these are the sort of things you're asking yourself throughout the search for an adoption coach, don't worry – we've been there too and we know EXACTLY what's on your mind.

At GIFT Family Services, our adoption coaches are adoptive parents, too. They know what you're going through and what concerns you have, but we want to put your mind at ease. When you work with an adoption coach through GIFT, here's what you can expect.

Honesty: GIFT adoption coaches are there to be honest with you. We'll speak from our own experiences and be there with you as you deal with the worry, the anxiety, the stress, the confusion, and the questions. We are here to tell you the truth and to give advice from our perspectives. We're adoptive parents – and we've seen and experienced it all. We know what you're going through.

Experience: When you partner with a GIFT adoption coach, you work with a certified professional who is also an adoptive parent or foster parent. We bring hands-on experience to our adoption coaching, knowing exactly what it's like to go through the challenges of parenting kids with tough starts. We've felt the overwhelm. We've asked the same questions. Our rigorous, in-depth coaching academy certifications plus our life experience gives us something other adoption coaches do not have: professional training coupled with direct personal experience.

Understanding: GIFT Family Services coaches offer struggling families assistance without judgment, empathy with hope, and a voice that says, "solutions are possible." Adoptive parents and adopted children face challenges that most cannot understand. We know this and we work with you to work through them. Together, we can help you make a change. A lasting, meaningful change that leads to a healthier, loving family.

Personalized Support: GIFT coaches identify your family's strengths and understands its struggles. We deal with the current reality and create strategies for both parent and child in areas ripe for improvement. Together we design a plan tailored for your family specifically. After all, each and every family is unique - you should have a coach that offers a personalized experience just for you.

Effectiveness: GIFT adoption coaching focuses on effectiveness. Does a strategy work for your family? Can it be improved? Which resources are in place? Which are still needed? How can they be accessed? What else can be tried? We use a process of consistent re-evaluation without assigning fault. Coaching illuminates opportunities, focuses on action and fosters growth. These proven techniques assist you in managing resources, so that you can return to the driver's seat of your life and build a strong family foundation.

Accessibility: Finding an adoption coach that's accessible is more difficult than you would think, but with GIFT Family Services, we make it easy for you to communicate with us. We offer adoption coaching and adoption consulting services around the country, plus, we provide phone, video-conferencing, in-person, and email coaching from anywhere in the world, any time. Once we've had an initial consultation, we'll come up with a personalized schedule of coaching sessions so that we best utilize our time together (you can learn more about our packages, pricing, and how our sessions work). You can always get in touch with us when you need us. It's just that simple.

Solutions: What makes us different from other adoption coaches is our approach: we focus on solutions. The whole goal of adoption coaching is to take a look at your situation, figure out what's happening, and then come up with strategies and actions to take in order to move forward toward a healthier, happier, and more loving family. We don't just help you develop answers – we help you do the work. We give you solutions and aid in the creation of plans to achieve them. We assist in setting goals and taking action.
The Right Match: GIFT coaches have a wide range of skills, interests, and personalities, to provide the right fit for your family. We will partner with you to create powerful results for your family by matching you with the right coach. With us, you can expect to find someone who you can work well with throughout all stages of the adoption process.

As for what to expect once you choose GIFT to be your adoption coaching partner, here's what happens:

We hold an introductory, 30-minute call to get to know you, your family, and what you're looking for from adoption coaching.